Device to identify chords on a keyboard instrument and key mechanism for use therewith

ABSTRACT

Operation of a pushbutton or key mechanism by the operation of a single pushbutton or key through circuitry which may include fiber optics signals all keys on the keyboard included in the particular chord. The device may be built in or simply attached to the keyboard instrument. The keys are spring, and string or wire operated to return a key to its inoperative position when the next key is pressed down.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division of application Ser. No. 656,881, filed Feb. 10, 1976now U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,072.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a chord indicating device and moreparticularly to one which is used to indicate the proper combination ofkeys to be depressed in each of the octaves of a keyboard instrumentsuch as a piano or an organ.

In learning to play the piano or organ or other type of keyboardinstrument a knowledge of the keys constituting each chord must belearned. A device as in the present case aids in the easy identificationof the keys to be played for each chord during the learning of thesechords.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for identifying chords, eitherbuilt-in or simply attached on to a musical instrument, havingpushbuttons or keys marked with symbols indicating chords.

An additional pushbutton or key, through connecting circuitry allows thedesignation of minor chords as well as the designation of major chords.

A key mechanism used in the device of the present invention includesspring and string or wire to return a key to the inoperative positionupon pressing of another key.

The electronic circuitry of the present invention is simplified by useof fiber optics connected thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a piano keyboard with the chordindicating device of the present invention built into the pianostructure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view along line 3--3 of FIG. 1showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the electrical system of the presentinvention using parts shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is an enlarged diagrammatic showing of the pushbutton switchesof FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a piano keyboard with the chordindicating device of the present invention as a portable or add-ondevice not built into the piano;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective of an embodiment of the chord circuitactivation mechanism using a key mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view of the key mechanism of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view along line 8--8 of FIG. 7 with thekey shown in an operative position in dashed outline.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to the partial perspective of a piano keyboard with thedevice of the present invention built into the piano there is shown theregular white keys 10 and black keys 11 having an opening 12 throughwhich a light can shine, above and just over each keys 10 and 11.Mounted above the keys 10 and 11 in a convenient position as shown orbelow and in front of the keys if such is convenient (not shown) aretwelve pushbuttons 14, each marked with a symbol of one of the chords. Apushbar 15 mounted below pushbuttons 14 is pressed to designate a minorchord. In the illustration in FIG. 1, pushbutton 14 for the C Majorchord has been pushed in as shown causing a light 16 to shine over eachof the C, E, and G keys 10 along the whole piano keyboard allowing aperson playing the piano to choose and play the chord in the octavechosen.

Two possible embodiments of the built-in pushbutton, pushbar, andlighting systems are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 2which is the preferred embodiment used with the electronic system ofFIG. 4, pushbutton 14, with pushbar 15 are shown mounted from box 21which contains the circuitry of FIG. 4. A lamp 22 activated by pressingpushbutton 14 to the dashed inward position 14¹ lights and by itsposition at the ends of fiber optics 23 transmits light along all thefibers 23 so that light is emitted from the opposite ends of the fibersat openings 12 over keys 10 and 11 in accordance with the chord beingidentified. Similarly FIG. 3 has circuitry which is activated whenpushbutton 14 is moved to the dashed position 14¹ which closes a switchin box 21 and causes a lamp 26 to light up at the openings 12 over keys10 and 11 also in accordance with the chord being identified. Thislatter embodiment requires a lamp for each key on the keyboard insteadof the twelve lamps of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with wiring used insteadof fiber optics.

Using the fiber optic embodiment of FIG. 2, the circuitry of FIG. 4 willoperate to identify the chords. When any of pushbuttons 14 is depressedthe contactors 31 having an H shape with a stem 32 connecting thecenters of a pair of H's is moved downward as illustrated by dashedlines in FIG. 4a. The illustration is for the pressing of the pushbutton14 marked for a C chord. In the up position or inoperative position ofFIGS. 4 and 4a all circuits remain open. When the H's are moved downwardto the dashed position of FIG. 4a contacts are closed completingcircuits from a positive voltage source 33 along line 34 to contacts 35and 36 through contactors 31, and contacts 37 and 38 respectively, tothe respective C and G lines to the C and G lamps respectively and thento ground.

The connection from voltage source 33 is also made through contactor 41connected to the MINOR pushbar 15 shown in an inoperative position infull lines. This connection is continued through line 42 and throughcontacts 43 and 44 connected by contactor 31 to an E line and thenthrough E lamp to ground. With C, E, and G lamps lit the light travelsthrough fiber optics 23 to the ends of those fibers in openings 12 overthe respective C, E, and G keys of each octave along the whole keyboard.

If it is desired to designate the minor chord of C then pushbar 15 isdepressed and contactor 41 moves downward to the dashed position shownwherein the positive voltage source 33 is now connected to contact 46and line 47 which completes a circuit through contacts 48 and 49connected by contactor 31, on to the D♯ line and D♯ lamp to ground.Fiber optics 23 from D♯ lamp carry light to all openings 12 over all D♯keys 11 on the keyboard. Operation of each of the other pushbuttons 14,with or without operation of pushbar 15 can be similarly traced throughthe circuit of FIG. 4 to result in the appropriate identification of thekeys pertaining to each of the chords, major and minor, for each of themarked pushbuttons 14.

FIG. 5 illustrates a chord identifying device operating in a manner tothe device of FIG. 1 except that instead of being built into the piano,this device is easily mounted externally and easily removed. Thepushbutton unit 51 which has a pushbutton 52 for each designated chordis shown without MINOR pushbar which may be incorporated therein. Thismay be mounted by screw or similar means to the piano front. Unit 51 iselectrically connected through cable 53 to lighting unit 54 which standson legs 55 on white keys 10 in spaces between black keys 11, and thus isreadily removable. The lighting at openings 56 designates the keys forthe C Major chord for which pushbutton 52¹ is depressed.

Instead of pushbuttons 14 or 52 the chord identification device may beoperated by a key mechanism as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. Each of thekeys 60 is marked similarly to the pushbuttons by a symbol of each ofthe chords. Each of keys 60 has a boss 61 on its bottom projectingdownward encircled by the end of a compression spring 62, whichencircles with its other end a boss 63 on the bottom of the unit andprojecting upward. This causes a toggle action of key or lever 60. Anelectrical contactor 64 is spring mounted and connected to key 60 at thelower end of the key. Contactor 64 extends in a manner so as to beraised up against wire support shelf 66 as shown in dashed outline inFIG. 8 and in conjunction with key 60 marked C♯ in FIGS. 6 and 7. Eachof the offshoots 67 of cable 68, if just considering major chords, wouldcontain four wires so that a wire from a positive voltage source may beconnected through contactor 64 to the lights for the notes designatingthat chord as with the prior illustrations, and then to a ground.

In order to cause the return of a key 60, once pressed, to its normal upposition upon depression of another key 60 the keys are connected topivot on a bar 71 extending along the pivot axis of all the keys 60. Asingle taut string or wire 72 is passed through holes 73 in horizontalprojections 74 extending from the key side of the key mechanism holderon each side of keys 60 and through holes 76 in ears 77 extending fromeach key 60 between projections 74.

When a key is pressed compression spring 62 is moved past a centerposition where it passes through a condition of maximum compression andafterward helps to continue the downward movement of the pressed key 60.The electrical contactor 64 moves upward into contact with the wire endsfrom cable 68 extending through offshoot 67 through the support shelf66. Compression spring 62 maintains key 60 in the depressed position asshown in dashed outline in FIG. 8. When another key 60 is depressed thewire or string 72 is made so taut that the tendency to straighten at itsconnection to the previously depressed key is so great as to overcomethe force of spring 62 which passes by its point of maximum compressionand then aids the work of wire or string 72 by its expansion to raisekey 60 to the inoperative position.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention and theinvention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in thedrawings and described in the specification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A key operated mechanism comprisinga plurality ofkeys, each having a surface for applying a force thereto for depressionof each of said keys; means for pivotally mounting each of said keys ona pivot axis; a portion extending from each of said keys on the oppositeside of said pivot axis of each of said keys from said force applyingsurface; cord-like means preventing actuatiion of more than one key at atime tautly strung through each of said portions and said cord-likemeans anchored on its opposite ends; compression spring means connectedto each of said keys between a position on each key and an anchor pointto pass through a point of maximum compression at an intermediate pointbetween positions of each key between its original undepressed positionand depressed position said cord-like means being sufficiently taut soas to straighten at its connection to a depressed one of said keys upondepression of another of said keys with a force sufficient to overcomethe force of said spring means.
 2. The key operated mechanism of claim1, further characterized bysaid plurality of keys being mounted on thesame pivot axis.
 3. The key operated mechanism of claim 1, furthercharacterized bysaid cord-like means being a metallic wire.